Intensive Deployment of Reconnaissance Aircraft Ahead of ROK-US Joint Exercises

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu Reporter] U.S. reconnaissance aircraft monitoring ballistic missiles and ground targets have gathered at the Kadena U.S. military base in Okinawa, Japan. This is interpreted as an intention to strengthen surveillance and reconnaissance ahead of North Korea's provocations in the second half of the year.

On the 13th, according to civilian aviation tracking sites 'Aircraft Spots' and 'No callsign,' the U.S. military Cobra Ball (RC-135S) reconnaissance aircraft departed from Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska and headed to Kadena Base on the same day. Previously, the Combat Sent (RC-135U) and the ground surveillance reconnaissance aircraft E-8C Joint STARS (J-STARS) were also deployed to Kadena Base.

The concentrated deployment of U.S. reconnaissance aircraft at U.S. bases in Japan is interpreted as a measure to deter North Korea's provocations in the second half of the year.

North Korea could provoke ahead of the upcoming South Korea-U.S. joint military exercises scheduled for August. Kim Yo-jong, the First Deputy Director, is effectively demanding the 'halt of South Korea-U.S. joint exercises' as a precondition for resuming dialogue. North Korea may also reveal strategic weapons and conduct test launches to escalate tensions between North Korea and the U.S.

The RC-135S deployed to U.S. Forces Korea is equipped with state-of-the-art electro-optical equipment capable of tracking ballistic missile trajectories from a long distance. This reconnaissance aircraft, specialized in detecting and tracking ballistic missiles, belongs to Offutt Air Force Base, home to the U.S. Strategic Command. The RC-135U returned to Kadena Base after conducting missions over the South China Sea on the 9th and the East Sea on the 11th. The U.S. Air Force operates two of these reconnaissance aircraft.

The E-8C departed Fairchild Air Force Base in Washington State on the 11th and moved to Kadena Base. This reconnaissance aircraft is conducting missions near Japan. These reconnaissance aircraft deployed at Kadena Base are mainly monitoring and tracking Chinese military movements in the South China Sea. Military authorities understand that they regularly deploy to the East Sea to monitor North Korea's missile activities.

Meanwhile, White Ghost (C-32B) belonging to the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) and 'CL-600-2B16' aircraft have been deployed to Yokota Base and Kadena Base in Japan. These aircraft are known to be leased and operated by the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).